How to use Windows 7 for free for 120 days, legally

Windows 7 has the same rearm command for delaying activation as Windows Vista …

Just like Windows Vista, Windows 7 can be used legally for up to 120 days without activating with a valid 25-character alphanumeric product key. Windows typically comes with a 30-day time limit for users to activate their copy of the operating system, but there's a command that is often used by corporate administrators to reset the 30-day countdown. The rearm command can be used up to three times without violating the Windows 7 EULA. Thus, if the user resets the countdown on the last day each time, he or she can gain up to 90 extra days to use Windows 7 legally and for free. The Windows Secrets newsletter outlined the step-by-step instructions for extending the grace period:

Step 2: Type the following command and press Enter: slmgr -rearm (note the space after slmgr and the hyphen in front of rearm.)

Step 3: Restart Windows 7.

Most users won't have to bother with these three steps since the majority, about 95 percent, get new versions of Windows with a new computer. For the five percent or so who purchase Windows 7 at retail, 30 days is likely enough to punch in the product key. Pirates will of course have their own methods to get around activation, and here's confirmation that they have plenty of time to do so. No, this is certainly aimed at administrators who need to delay activation for whatever reason, and even though 120 days seems a little over the top, we're sure many of them are relieved to know the number of days hasn't been reduced in Vista's successor.